Budget Gaming Laptop - HOTS

[lchenjr]

Hi all, I am looking for a laptop to play only 2 games.
Diablo 3
and Heart of the swarm (SC2).

Low - med settings. Prefer High (but not going over budget)

Budget is less than $800.

THank you

 

[barto]

Well, you're asking for something that is difficult, but not impossible. I usually think that the phrase "budget gaming laptop" doesn't exist.

That's besides the point. I suggest you go to notebookcheck.com and sift through the games benchmarks and pick a GPU that fits your needs. I say that because I could sit here all day and not find the laptop for you. However, upon looking through some of the GPUs, I found the HP Envy popping up quite a bit.

Gaming List:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Computer-Games-on-Laptop-Graphic-Cards.13849.0.html
Note: you can select specific games by pressing crtl and clicking, then restrict the list. I think you should look at GPUs below the 149th on the list. If you go up on the list, the computers will get more expensive.

 

[lchenjr]

Hi Barto, Thank you, I just have a question on how you were able to tell HP Envy was the laptop brand? I only see a list of Graphic card model numbers. But nothing in regards to what brand laptops.

 

[barto]

Hi Barto, Thank you, I just have a question on how you were able to tell HP Envy was the laptop brand? I only see a list of Graphic card model numbers. But nothing in regards to what brand laptops.

You can select a GPU and open the page about that particular GPU. When you do that, you can scroll to the bottom of the page and see laptops that have the selected GPU. It's a long process but the good thing is you can read about how each GPU will perform. I think the most bench to look at is SC2 as HotS is based off SC2 benches. You don't have to look at every GPU, that would take you all week. I just looked in the 180 range and I think GPUs in that area will meet your performance and budget requirements.

 

[lchenjr]

I am not sure what this 180 range, is that the Number next to the GPU?

I am actually been looking into the HP Envy with GTX 650 M.

Currently there are two models HP dv6z and dv6t. one is AMD with 7670M and one is i5 with 650M. the price different is about $120, with i5 and 650M costing more. Just wondering how much better is the 650M.

Maybe you can shine some light on it? I have been reading forums and Youtube videos. not sure still.

thank you again.

 

[barto]

I am not sure what this 180 range, is that the Number next to the GPU?

I am actually been looking into the HP Envy with GTX 650 M.

Currently there are two models HP dv6z and dv6t. one is AMD with 7670M and one is i5 with 650M. the price different is about $120, with i5 and 650M costing more. Just wondering how much better is the 650M.

Maybe you can shine some light on it? I have been reading forums and Youtube videos. not sure still.

thank you again.

So the gaming chart lists GPUs by power (1 - 300 something). #1 on the list is 680M SLI. #180 is the AMD Radeon HD 6530M. You selected the 650M (#67) and the 7670M (#149) which are good GPUs. The HP Envy with the 650 is $1000. I was shooting for laptops around the $800 range as you listed in your first post. If you are strict the the $800, than the HP Envy with the 650 is out. As for the HP Envy with the 7670M, it is also a $1000 laptop.

The graphic difference between the 650M and the 7670M is significant. The 650M will double the performance of the 7670M in the games you want to play. But remember, cost.

http/www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA-GeForce-GT-650M.71887.0.html
http/www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-7670M.69483.0.html

 

[lchenjr]

Sorry I should have send you the link of what I was looking at.

HP dv6z-7200
http/www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto.do#anchor-top
if I select the basic A6 with the 2 GB of 7670M, then the price is $575.

HP dv6t-7000
http/www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/cto.do#a
If I select the i5 with turbo boost and 2GB 650M, then the price is $699.

 

[barto]

Stupid me. Completely forgot about configuring laptops. As for which one is better, the 650M is. Processor wise, there is a big difference. The i5-2450M is a competitor to the A10-4600M. That's where the difference is. If you configure the dv6z with the A10, the price is about the same as the i5 which makes sense. The A6 is much weaker thus your $120 price difference. A GPU is as only good as it's CPU.